The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been around for over 130 years with some of the most iconic cards coming from the late 19th century and early 20th century. As baseball grew in popularity throughout the 20th century, more and more young fans collected cards to learn about their favorite players and teams. Some of these vintage cards have become incredibly valuable with the rarest examples selling for millions of dollars. Below is a look at what could be considered the 100 best baseball cards ever made based on their historical significance, rarity, and financial value.
1887 N172 Old Judge Tobacco – This is considered the very first baseball card produced. Only a few are known to exist today in various states of preservation. An example that sold in 2016 for $3.12 million is the most expensive baseball card ever sold.
1887 N181 Old Judge Tobacco – Very similar design to the N172 but with a different back and considered the more “common” of the two 1887 Old Judge issues. Still incredibly rare, only a handful are known.
1909-11 T206 White Border – This gigantic 511-card set dominated the tobacco card market for nearly a decade. Buried in the massive run are several key rookie cards like the ultra-rare Honus Wagner that has sold for over $3 million.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – One of the most iconic baseball cards ever made featuring baseball’s “Iron Horse.” High grade examples can fetch over $100,000.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – Another iconic Goudey card showing the Sultan of Swat. Considered the top baseball card by many collectors.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson – Jackie Robinson’s rookie card and one of the most culturally significant cards ever made being the first picturing baseball’s barrier-breaking No. 42.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The Mick’s rookie card and one of the most aesthetic designs from the early Topps years. Highly sought after by collectors.
1957 Topps Mickey Mantle – Topps’ first color photograph on a baseball card and one of the key vintage cards of the most popular player of the 50s and 60s.
1960 Topps Mickey Mantle – Widely considered the finest Mantle card with its perfect centered image. Graded Gem Mint 10 examples have topped $100,000.
1984 Donruss Roger Clemens – Clemens’ rookie card from Donruss is the key card from the early 80s era. High demand from both vintage and modern collectors.
1990 Sportflix Ken Griffey Jr. – Non-sport card that shows an action shot of Griffey Jr. in the earliest known commercial color card of “The Kid.”
1997 Bowman’s Best Ken Griffey Jr. – Ultra-rare parallel refractor card is one of the true vintage-style “hits” from the mid-90s surge in baseball card popularity.
1998 SP Authentic Sammy Sosa – Iconic home run celebration photo card captures Sosa’s magic 1998 season where he and Mark McGwire broke the single season home run record.
1999 SP Authentic Hank Aaron – Final card issued of the true home run king. capturing the significance of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s cherished career record.
2001 Pacific Zenith Ichiro Rookie Auto Purple /27 – Ultra-rare parallel autograph rookie of the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and batting champ. Only 27 copies produced.
1952 Topps All-American Jackie Robinson – Earlier Topps issue before the 1952 Topps set highlighting Robinson’s incredible rookie campaign.
1953 Topps Sandy Koufax – Hall of Famer’s first Topps card issued before his dominance in the latter half of his career.
1956 Topps Willie Mays – One of the most aesthetically pleasing cards of the Say Hey Kid before his move to San Francisco.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan – Early Topps card of Nolan Ryan before he established himself as the strikeout king and one of history’s greatest pitchers.
1970 Topps Reggie Jackson – Early high number card of Mr. October before he solidified his Hall of Fame legacy between Oakland and New York.
1970 Topps Hank Aaron – Final Topps regular issue card picturing Aaron as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Significant for collectors.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench – All-Star rookie card of the legendary Reds’ catcher who won back-to-back MVPs during Cincinnati’s dynasty years.
1974 Topps Mike Schmidt – Phillies third baseman’s early career card before establishing himself as one of the premier power hitters of the late 70s and early 80s.
1975 Topps George Brett – Hall of Famer George Brett’s second year card from Topps before winning his first batting title.
1975 Topps Nolan Ryan – Highlights Ryan’s single season recordbreaking 383 strikeouts in 1973. Key card from his early Angels/Mets days.
1977 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. – Future Hall of Famer’s rookie card that preceded his record breaking consecutive games played streak.
1978 Topps Ozzie Smith – Early career card of the Wizard highlighting his slick fielding skills before reigning as one of the top shortstops ever.
1979 Topps Mike Schmidt – Highlights Schmidt winning the 1978 NL MVP award and one of the key cards from his Hall of Fame Phillies tenure.
1980 Topps Steve Carlton – Final regular Topps card picturing the Lefty as a Phillie before finishing his career between the Giants and Indians.
1981 Donruss Fernando Valenzuela – Hall of Fame rookie card exhibiting Fernandomania during his record setting ROY season for the Dodgers.
1982 Fleer Update Cal Ripken Jr.- Ultra-rare error issue of Ripken’s early career Oriole years that only featured his name in the photo.
1983 Topps Ryne Sandberg – Early Cubs career highlight card before joining the Hall of Fame as one of the top second basemen ever.
1984 Donruss Roger Clemens – Rocket’s memorable rookie season was highlighted in this classic Donruss cardboard.
1985 Fleer Update Barry Bonds – Pirates rookie card from the short printed Fleer Update set highlighting one of baseball’s all-time great players.
1986 Topps Mark McGwire – Early A’s career card picturing McGwire before setting the single season home run record alongside Sammy Sosa in 1998.
1987 Fleer Update Ken Griffey Jr. – Ultra-rare Mariners rookie card very briefly shows a young Griffey Jr. exciting baseball with flashy grins during his early call up seasons.
1988 Score Rafael Palmeiro – Exceptionally rare autograph parallel rookie card of the future 500 home run club member. Only three are believed to exist.
1989 Upper Deck Nolan Ryan – Captures the flame throwing righty’s historic 5000th career strikeout engraved on a classic Upper Deck horizontal design.
1990 Score Barry Bonds – Early Pirates career card picturing a youthful Barry Bonds before blossoming into one of the game’s all-time home run leaders.
1991 Stadium Club Derek Jeter – Hall of Fame worthy rookie card of the Yankee captain before leading the team to 5 World Series titles the late 90s and early 2000s.
1992 Bowman’s Best Ken Griffey Jr. – Ultra-premium rookie cup subset card highlights The Kid’s immense talent at a young age. Iconic design precedes hit king status.
1993 Finest Refractors Frank Thomas – White Sox all-star’s incredibly scarce auto parallel rookie refractor considered one of the iconic “hits” from the early 90s Finest sets.
1994 SP Derek Jeter – Expressive smiling rookie card of Jeter following his early breakout 1993 AL Rookie of the Year season with the Yankees.
1995 Select Kris Bryant – Fiercely rare Cubs rookie auto highlights Bryant as he began to establish himself as one of the premier young power hitters in the game.
1996 Bowman’s Best Chipper Jones – Highly sought after vintage-styled parallel rookie card honoring the Hall of Fame Braves third baseman’s early career in Atlanta.
1997 Bowman’s Best Miguel Cabrera – Tigers star slugger’s premium rookie card pictured Cabrera blossoming into a future 500 home run club member and AL MVP.
1998 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero – Iconic parallel refractor rookie of the future Expos/Angels star exhibited Guerrero’s immensely talented youth in Montreal.
1999 Upper Deck SP Authentic Ichiro Suzuki – Highly acclaimed Mariners outfielder’s stateside rookie card captured Ichiro beginning his MLB tenure in spectacular fashion.
2001 Bowman Chrome Edition Albert Pujols – Cardinals legend’s ultra premium refractor rookie showed Pujols’ immense talents shining through early in his Hall of Fame career.
2002 Topps Jim Thome – Phantoms refractors highlight card featuring the 500 home run slugging first baseman in Phillies pinstripes at the peak of his prolific power hitting career.
2003 Topps Jose Reyes – Mets shortstop’s rookie card highlighted Reyes’ dazzling speed and defense as he began to establish himself as one of the top young shortstops in baseball.
2004 Bowman Chrome David Wright – Iconic first Chrome card of the Mets’ third baseman as he broke out as a young star for the Amazins at age 22.
2005 Topps Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers ace’s rookie card preceded eight All-Star appearances, three Cy Youngs, and a pivotal role
